RPP Plating (PRP, Reverse Pulse Plating)
Electrodeposition using a DC rectifier supplying current for a predetermined amount of time, and then reversing that current for a shorter time period, to lay down a finer grain structure, and reduce the porosity of the deposit.

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December 10, 2008

Electroforming vs. Electroplating 

Electroforming, though closely related to electroplating, is different both in the application and result. The electroplater is concerned with taking some existing article, and creating upon it an adherent metallic deposit, which then becomes a permanent part of the altered article.            (Adherent – sticking or holding fast; growing or fused together.) The electroformer is intent on creating a new object – one that did not exist before. Electroforming is the art of producing or reproducing metallic objects by electrodeposition upon a master form. The master form, sometimes called the mandrel, is then separated from the newly formed part entirely. A part formed in this way is often used as a mold insert for injection molding of plastic parts. Optical Discs such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs are injection molded utilizing mold inserts, called stampers, which are electroformed from laser recorded masters. Electroforming can reproduce very fine detail and therefore it is ideal for use in Optical Disc manufacturing where features with depths less than 1 micron (0.001 mm) must be faithfully reproduced.